Gramona Imperial Brut 2019

The 2019 Brut Imperial comes from different vineyards in different villages, including grapes from their growers (some of whom I met), who are partners in their Alianzas de la Tierra project, over 420 hectares certified by Demeter. It comes from a balanced vintage. They now vinify by paraje, or lieu-dit, which increases the work but gives them a lot more control—they can slice and dice qualities and adapt to the conditions of each year. They used a little less sugar than in 2018, only four grams here (that are not noticeable). When they changed the dosage, it's now extra brut (but not yet on the label). 2019 is a little rounder, more elegant and more approachable than the 2018; it's very clean and feels precise, focused and balanced, serious and elegant, with a lively mouthfeel, textured, silky and long, with good concentration. They have also removed plastic from the bottles, going for a lighter bottle and keeping the sustainability as an important priority. 553,000 bottles produced. It was disgorged in December 2023. They will skip 2020 because of the mildew that year, so the next vintage will be 2021. - Luis Gutiérrez.